Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Waterproof breathable Seam sealed Packs into pocket Budget shell

Overview

The Watertight II is the kind of rain jacket I like for the unglamorous slot in a kit: cheap enough to actually bring, real enough to trust in normal weather.

Columbia gives it the useful basics: Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable fabric, full seam sealing, a breathable mesh lining, an attached adjustable storm hood, zippered hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, and a drawcord hem. It also packs into its own hand pocket, which matters because a rain shell left in the closet is not a rain shell.

This is not a premium alpine hardshell. It does not vent like a jacket with pit zips, and any 2-layer budget shell can feel clammy when you are hiking hard uphill. Where it shines is real-world shoulder-season use: wind at camp, surprise showers, travel days, wet trailheads, grocery runs in bad weather, and the "throw it in the back" layer you forget about until you need it.

Best for Day hikes, travel, camp wind, budget builds, and just-in-case weather protection.

Not for High-output climbs, heavy pack abrasion, bushwhacking, or sustained storms where premium venting matters.

Buy it for the boring job: staying dry enough, packing small, and not costing so much that you baby it.

Where to buy

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Omni-Tech, fully seam-sealed rain protection with a pocket-packable build and simple adjustments.

Official product link - current colors, sizing, and care details.

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Quick Read

Role

Waterproof breathable

Best Fit

Day hikes, travel, camp wind, budget builds, and emergency weather carry.

Why It Works

Full seam sealing, pocket packability, useful adjustments, and a price that makes it easy to keep nearby.

Skip If

You need pit-zips, expedition durability, or all-day comfort while moving hard in warm rain.

At a Glance

Fabric

Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable, fully seam sealed

Packability

Packs into its own hand pocket

Hood

Attached adjustable storm hood

Hem and cuffs

Drawcord hem, adjustable cuffs

Pockets

Zippered hand pockets, plus self-pack storage

Fit

Regular fit, 29 in center back length

Use Notes

Pack carry Because it stuffs into a hand pocket, it is easy to leave in a daypack, door pocket, camp bin, or travel bag instead of gambling on the forecast.

Venting Crack the front zipper and loosen the cuffs before you overheat. Without pit zips, it is better as steady protection than as a high-output climbing shell.

Wet-out Keep the face fabric clean and revive the DWR when water stops beading. A soaked face fabric makes any waterproof-breathable jacket feel colder and less breathable.

Layering It fits over a light fleece or hoodie, but heavy insulation can crowd the shoulders. Size with your real midlayer, not just a T-shirt.

My Notes

This is the shell I would recommend to someone building a practical kit before they know exactly what they care about in expensive rainwear. It covers the basics well, it packs small, and it is inexpensive enough that you can keep it in rotation instead of treating it like delicate gear.

The tradeoff is ventilation. If you are hiking hard, you still need to manage sweat: slow down, vent early, and avoid overdressing underneath. The jacket keeps outside water out, but it cannot solve moisture you create from the inside.

Fit tip: If you are between sizes and plan to layer over a hoodie or fleece, size with that layer on.
Care: Wash it gently and avoid fabric softener; revive the water-repellent finish when rain stops beading on the face fabric.
Reality check: For normal rain, wind, and travel, this is plenty. For repeated hard mountain use, step up to a shell with better venting and tougher fabric.

Keep building your kit

Good trips come from a dialed setup, not one flashy piece of gear.

Browse the pieces that actually live in my bins and packs, not just the ones that looked good in a catalog.
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